popcornandpandas, Author at Popcorn and Pandas

Baby Gender Reveal Ideas {Canadian Family}

Remember our gender reveal for Little Monkey???

Photo by: Justin Goldberg of Eudora Video Solutions

Well, apparently Little Monkey is quite the popular one. Online magazine, Canadian Family has included our gender reveal in their latest article called 8 Exciting Baby Gender Reveal Ideas. I am so honored to be included in their post. Head on over to see my mention as well as 7 other fabulous ideas for mommies and daddies-to-be!

Curious, did you do anything special to find out your baby’s gender? How did you tell your family and friends?

XO,

Gina

Retro Rainbow

ModCloth had a sale recently, and I couldn’t help but snag a few retro-style items from their online store. This rainbow frock totally brightens my day, and I’m in love with these new cat-eye sunnies. I’m also excited that I was able to score another non-maternity dress to rock while prego. That way, I can also wear it post-bump! Little Man is getting bigger and bigger. And Mom is too. These photos were taken at 26 weeks, and today I hit week 27. 3rd trimester here we go!

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: ModCloth / Cat-Eye Sunnies: ModCloth / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Henri Bendel – similar / Earrings: ? (old) / Lip: MAC Candy Yum-Yum / Nails: The Balm Hella Yella (from LOFT)

After a beautiful weekend of sunshine, we have been getting some crazy storms up here! I have to say, I’m glad it wasn’t the opposite. We spent the weekend getting some errands done, picking up supplies for a small DIY house project, hanging out with friends for a birthday party and a cookout, playing some corn hole, and an impromptu trip to Brighton Beach/Coney Island.

Please send some love and prayers this way as my Uncle is currently having surgery today. He’s been through a lot these past few months, and this surgery is extremely crucial to his health and well-being. So any positive thoughts you can spare would be much appreciated!

Hope you all are having a good week so far!

XO,

Gina

Friday Funny: Let’s Get It Started

I came across this video last week, and thought it was absolutely hysterical (and impressive). This woman was pregnant and overdue with TWINS. Eager for them to arrive into the world, she tried to induce her labor by dancing. Her husband was also an awesome sport and joined in the fun. She ended up having her twins two days later in a natural un-medicated birth. What a rockstar!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb_AcnR5Tw8&feature=player_embedded]

Hope this made you laugh, and wishing you all a great weekend!

XO,

Gina

5 Beauty Must Haves

1. MAC Paint Pot in Painterly – This is a cream eyeshadow, but I use it an an eyeshadow primer. Before using this, my eyeshadow would wear off before the end of the day. Now, I have literally fallen asleep, and my eyeshadow has still been wearin’ strong! My makeup routine is no longer complete without this product! And the little pot actually lasts quite awhile.

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2. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula – I have been slathering this on daily to avoid stretch marks from my Little Monkey. So far, so good!

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3. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara – I was an avid Lancome Difinicils user for years. I recently started using Hypnose Drama instead, and I LOVE the difference in my eyelashes! While it still makes them longer, it also makes them fuller and more voluminous. I think I will be sticking to this mascara for awhile.

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4. Olay Age Defying Moisturizer – I use this all year long, and have been very happy with it. As for the anti-wrinkle, you can never start too young in my opinion! It also has an SPF of 15, which is great for the summertime.

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5. Loreal Extra Intense Eyeliner – I always have trouble with eyeliner wearing off on the underside of my lower eyelid and smudging underneath (I know, I know, you’re aren’t supposed to put it there, but I have to). So far, this eyeliner does it the least, so I’ve been using it a lot lately.

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What are your beauty must haves?

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Tonight, I’m headed to the AICP Show at the MOMA, and very much looking forward to it! Have a great Thursday everyone.

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XO,

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Gina

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Neon Highlights

Photos by: Melissa DiGiulian / Edited by: Myself

Maxi Dress: K&G Fashion Superstore / Neon Sandals: Dolce Vita via Saks – on sale in black – similar neon yellow sandals here / Fringe Skull Bag: Shoedazzle – sold out – similar here and here / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Bracelet: J. Crew / Aviators: Street Vendor in NYC / Chevron Stack Rings: Baublebar – similar / Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean / Nails: Essie Funky Limelight and DJ Play that Song accent and on toes / Lip: NARS Born this Way

I wore this outfit to my soccer team’s BBQ over the weekend. So proud of them for winning the championship this past season! This dress is super comfy, and I’m still thinking flowy dresses are going to be a staple throughout the rest of the summer and my pregnancy. I scored these neon sandals on sale at Saks, and I love the pop of color they bring to this look. It just so happens my nails also match!

Tonight, I am attending the AICP Next Awards for work, which honors marketing campaigns in categories such as integrated, viral/web film, website/microsite, product integration, social media, mobile, cause marketing, and experiential. Looking forward to hearing some of the presentations from the winners. Other than tonight, this should be a pretty laid back week.

Have a good one ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

Rainy Days Can’t Get Me Down

These photos are from Memorial Day Weekend before our ride down to Philly. There’s nothing like bright colors to shake you out of your rainy day gloom. Luckily, the weather got nicer later in the day, and we were able to enjoy an awesome cookout with friends.

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Seersucker Blazer: GAP – similar / Sweater: Old Navy (on sale!) / Tank (underneath): Old Navy (on sale!) / Jeans: Motherhood / Boots: Steve Madden / Necklace: Cheerfully Charmed – similar / Umbrella: borrowed – similar / Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean, ASOS, and Henri Bendel / Watch: Michael Kors

This past weekend, I was on my own as the hubby went on a biking/camping excursion. I spent the weekend doing a little housework, celebrating my neighbor’s 1st birthday, had dinner with a close friend, went to a 90’s themed birthday celebration, and lounged at a soccer team BBQ. Last night when the hubby got home, we chilled outside enjoying our amazing garden on what was a gorgeous night, and just caught each other up with our weekend stories. I have to say, I’m super happy it’s summertime!

Hope you all have a great week!

XO,

Gina

{11} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, about a woman who finds herself while hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. Sort of an Eat, Pray, Love in the wilderness if you will. I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. I am now starting Bossypants by Tina Fey, and hoping for a laugh.

writing Other than blog posts, I haven’t been writing much of anything else lately…

listening Violin and Dubstep? Who knew this combo could work. Check out Lindsey Stirling’s Crystallize. She’s mad talented.

thinking That I am extremely grateful to my husband and neighbor for installing our A/C window units this week. It’s 90 degrees here today!

smelling Yankee Candle’s Summer Scoop. A candle that smells like my favorite dessert? Yes please!

watching Well, I got dragged into a “Bachelorette Draft” this past weekend. Yes, it’s like fantasy football, but with Des and a bunch of hot guys. I really had no interest in this show whatsoever, but after investing time into making draft picks for a friend that couldn’t make the event…I am now finding myself wanting to know how this whole thing is going to pan out. Go Juan Pablo!

wishing Everyone a Happy Last Day of May! Can’t believe it’s going to be June tomorrow.

hoping For a fun-filled weekend with friends in the Big Apple.

wearing A dress that I found at Nordstrom Rack a couple years ago along with red, strappy Sam Edelman sandals.

loving This strawberry, banana, pineapple smoothie I’m consuming right now.

laughing At what happened when Vine tried to make a commercial for Vine. See over at FunnyorDie.com

wanting To meet my new little cousin, Noelle Raelyn, who was born yesterday! Congrats to her Mama and Papa, my cousins Brittany and R.J.

needing To figure out what to wear to a costume party on Saturday…Disney princess or pregnant Britney Spears? Hmmm…

feeling My little one kicking up a storm in there all day long. It’s such a crazy and awesome feeling!

craving I had been craving a pedicure (since I can no longer reach my toes well enough to paint my own), and luckily this was fulfilled on Wednesday. I went with the new Essie 2013 Neon Collection’s DJ Play That Song. I can now proceed with open-toed shoes again.

clicking Researching pediatricians and birthing classes for the little one.

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

#58 See the Grand Canyon

May 11, 2013

This is my final post about our trip to Arizona, and what better way to end the trip than with a bucket list check mark! I have been wanting to see the Grand Canyon for a long time as it is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and it’s right here in the U-S-of-A. I had seen photos previously, but there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. The pictures cannot do it justice. I’m not even sure my own eyes could do it justice! This canyon is so incredibly massive that it’s tough to even understand what you are looking at…where does it end? Where does it begin? Where is the other side? How deep does it go? These are all questions I asked myself as I viewed this natural wonder from the South Rim in Arizona. I was a little disappointed to find out the glass bridge was located on the North Rim…I guess I didn’t adequately do my research. But it was still phenomenal nonetheless. We drove from lookout point to lookout point stopping to take numerous photos along the way. Finally, we started to hear people around us saying, “Ok this is the last time we are stopping!” And I have to say, I started to jump into that same boat. I mean, honestly, how many photos can you take of the same thing? Haha…apparently a lot. The views were incredible, and if we had planned things properly, we would have packed a picnic lunch to eat at one of the lookout points while taking in the scenery.

While we were in the Grand Canyon, we had a lovely fancy dinner at El Tovar lodge, which I would highly recommend. We ended up staying at The Best Western for the night, which was not too far out of the National Park and was actually pretty decent with a free buffet breakfast. It didn’t hurt that the concierge upgraded us to one of their best suites in the hotel! Points to my handsome husband for that one.

The only bad thing about our visit to the Grand Canyon was that it meant our trip to Arizona was coming to a close. We headed back to Phoenix the next day for our last dinner at the amazing Parlor, and then jetted back to NYC.

Hope you enjoy the last of our trip photos!

I finally got my wish…it is SUMMERTIME in the city today. Whew!

Stay cool, my friends.

XO,

Gina

Desert Florals

Here are some images from our second day enjoying Sedona, Arizona. Oh, how I love those red rocks! The views were absolutely stunning, and it’s tough to really capture it in a photo alone. I hadn’t been feeling that great in the middle of our trip, but this day, I was feeling much better and able to explore. We drove around making stops at different locations for photos, and then walked a little on the West Fork at Oak Creek trail which was a lot of fun. I really hope to go back to Sedona when I’m back to my athletic self and can really take it all in!

Floral Pants: Motherhood – similar here, here, and here (in non-maternity) / Chambray Top: GAP – similar (runs big FYI!) / Tank: American Eagle / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Shades: c/o Waveborn / Earrings: Baublebar – similar / Ring: Banana Republic / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Beaded Skull Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean / Spike Bracelet: ASOS / Bow Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: MAC Impassioned

Tonight I’m headed out with the girls for a little mani/pedi action. I usually do my own nails, but the belly is starting to get in the way making it impossible to paint my toes these days. Oh darn, I guess I have to pamper myself! Looking forward to hanging with the ladies.

Tomorrow I am participating in the Wall Street Heart Walk with my Alpha Phi sorority Alums in NYC. Did you know that heart disease is the leading killer in America? There’s one more day to donate, so if you are able to contribute, I would really appreciate it!

Hope you all have a great day!

XO,

Gina

The Magic Hour

I know the Arizona photos seem to be never ending, but there is just too much to share! I promise you this is the last week of Arizona posts! These shots were taken during the “Magic Hour,” a photographer’s most favorite hour to shoot. This happens about an hour before sunset, and it’s when the light is most lovely for photographs. We happened to be on the road at this time, and having no set schedule to be any particular place, we frequently made stops to shoot this beautiful scenery.

First and foremost, I want to thank all of our military for serving and protecting our country. For those who have been lost, we are ever grateful for your strength and bravery. I hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend holiday.

We spent part of ours in Philly visiting friends, and part of it hanging out with friends on the Upper East side and Central Park. It was a wonderful weekend, and a great kick off to the summertime!

Have a great short week!

XO,

Gina